DraftKings Predictions hits $3.4bn as DKeX goes live

• DraftKings has unveiled DKeX, a proprietary CFTC-regulated prediction markets exchange, integrated into its unified Sports & Casino app.
• Annualized consumer volume on DraftKings Predictions reached approximately $3.4 billion for the week ended June 21, up from $1.3 billion in May.
• DKeX is built on technology and federal licensing acquired through DraftKings’ purchase of Railbird Technologies, reducing dependence on third-party providers CME Group and Crypto.com.

DraftKings has launched DKeX, its proprietary prediction markets exchange, integrating it directly into the unified DraftKings: Sports & Casino app.

The move ends DraftKings’ dependence on third-party exchanges for its prediction markets business, handing the company direct control over its trading infrastructure for the first time since DraftKings Predictions launched in December 2025.

Cutting out third parties

Since launching DraftKings Predictions in December 2025, the company had routed the majority of its activity through CME Group and Crypto.com. DKeX changes that, enabling DraftKings to capture exchange-level economics directly.

The exchange operates under CFTC oversight as a Designated Contract Market. DraftKings acquired the underlying technology and federal license through its purchase of Railbird Technologies. Until now, very little of DraftKings Predictions’ volume had flowed through that infrastructure.

By routing trades through its own exchange, DraftKings can collect exchange-level fees directly, rather than sharing them with external partners. Citizens Equity Research described exchange ownership as a form of vertical integration.

The analysts noted it would allow DraftKings to participate in multiple parts of a transaction, rather than operating solely as a front-end application.

Jason Robins, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of DraftKings, said:

“DraftKings is at its best when building innovative platforms that bring together technology, customer focus, and world-class execution to shape the future of sports engagement.

“The momentum we’ve seen on DraftKings Predictions in recent months reflects the significant progress we’ve made in delivering a more seamless and connected experience for sports fans.

“DKeX provides a vertically integrated foundation for DraftKings Predictions, strengthening our prediction markets content and capabilities, giving us greater control over the technology that powers those offerings, and enabling us to move faster as we continue enhancing our unified app.”

Volume surge

The DKeX launch comes as DraftKings Predictions reports sharply rising trading activity.

For the week ended June 21, the platform generated approximately $3.4 billion in annualized consumer volume and approximately $11.3 billion in annualized total trading volume, according to the company. Annualized consumer volume stood at $1.3 billion in May, a 24% increase from April.

The company expects continued growth throughout July, driven by ongoing platform enhancements and heightened trading interest around the World Cup.

Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Prediction Markets at DraftKings, said:

“The launch of DKeX and its integration into our unified app is a major step forward in delivering a best-in-class customer experience in sports nationwide. The pace of development across Predictions has been substantial, from expanding our event contract offerings to introducing key features like combos, which customers have quickly embraced.

“DKeX is the latest milestone in that progression and creates new opportunities to further expand the offering ahead of some of the biggest moments on the sports calendar.”

Expanding the offering

DraftKings Predictions has broadened its contract menu considerably since December 2025. Recent additions include MLB player and futures contracts, No Runs First Inning baseball markets, broader NBA and NHL selections, and international sports coverage.

Dedicated event hubs for major tournaments, expanded in-play statistics, and an always-on Live tab have also been added to the app.

The combinations feature, which allows users to bundle multiple individual contracts into a single position, launched in mid-May. More than 30% of customers have used the feature since its introduction, according to DraftKings.

Sports event contracts are now available in 18 states through the DraftKings Sports experience, which is live nationally. The platform also integrates responsible trading tools through My Budget and Controls, and the Responsible Trading Center.

DraftKings has guided to between $200 million and $300 million in prediction markets investment in 2026. Citizens Equity Research has estimated the company could add between $10 billion and $14 billion in enterprise value by 2030 if it captures 20% to 30% of the prediction markets industry.

With DKeX now live, the attention shifts to how quickly DraftKings migrates meaningful volume onto its own exchange. Analysts have pointed to the NFL season as the first major test, when the company is expected to begin making its own markets on the DKeX infrastructure.

That step would unlock a second layer of revenue beyond consumer-facing fees, giving investors their clearest look yet at the economics underpinning DraftKings Predictions.

Competitive pressure from CFTC-regulated prediction markets platforms shows no sign of easing. The World Cup has only accelerated the timeline for operators to stake their position in the sector.